Deb Cherry (born August 19, 1954) is a former Democratic member of the

Michigan Senate The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. Along with the Michigan House of Representatives, it composes the state legislature, which has powers, roles and duties defined by Article IV of the Michigan Constitution, ado ...

, representing the 26th district until she was elected Genesee County treasurer in 2010. Her district included parts of Genesee and

Oakland Oakland is a city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. It is the county seat and most populous city in Alameda County, with a population of 440,646 in 2020. A major West Coast port, Oakland is ...

counties. Previously she was a member of the

Michigan House of Representatives The Michigan House of Representatives is the lower house of the Michigan Legislature. There are 110 members, each of whom is elected from constituencies having approximately 77,000 to 91,000 residents, based on population figures from the 2020 ...

from 1995 to 2000. Her brother John D. Cherry was the

Lieutenant Governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

of Michigan, and her nephew John Cherry III has been in the Michigan Legislature since 2019.

Background

Cherry received a Bachelor of Science degree from

Oakland University Oakland University (OU or Oakland) is a public university, public research university in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1957 through a donation of Matilda Dodge Wilson and husband ...

and earned a

Master of Public Administration A Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a specialized professional graduate degree in public administration that prepares students for leadership roles, similar or equivalent to a Master of Business Administration but with an emphasis on the ...

from

University of Michigan-Flint A university () is an institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly means "community of teachers and scholars". Uni ...

Political career

Cherry's interest in politics began in high school when she joined a non-partisan student group. Before being elected into the legislature, Cherry worked with the Valley Area Agency on Aging where she managed grants and worked to find funding for various agency services. She also served on the Genesee County Commission for six years, where she represented the 3rd District, and was Commission Chair for 3 years. As of 2007, Cherry was Chairwoman of the Greater Flint Health Coalition, a member of the Michigan Fitness foundation, the Michigan Prospect and IMA Board, as well as is an honorary member of the Genesee County Board. There was speculation that she might run for Congress in 2012.

References

External links

Senator Cherry's Homepage

The Cherry Report
with guest Linda Hamacher
Floor Statements
video clips
Project Vote Smart - Senator Deborah Cherry (MI)
profile *''Follow the Money'' - Deborah Cherry
200620042002200019981996
campaign contributions
Michigan Senate Democratic CaucusMichigan Liberal - SD26Blogging for Michigan
Sen. Cherry: Michigan Kids, Legislature Both Need to Shape Up {{DEFAULTSORT:Cherry, Deborah Democratic Party Michigan state senators Democratic Party members of the Michigan House of Representatives 1954 births Living people County treasurers in Michigan County commissioners in Michigan Oakland University alumni University of Michigan–Flint alumni People from Dowagiac, Michigan Women state legislators in Michigan 20th-century American women politicians 21st-century American women politicians 20th-century members of the Michigan Legislature 21st-century members of the Michigan Legislature